Clearly, I am not about to run out of work for a while yet—new words keep being added to the English language.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has just released a list of 1,400 new words and definitions they have added to their huge dictionary.
A lot of the new coinages grow out of the sheer verbal inventiveness of English speakers, others from the changes that technology is forcing on our society.
Here’s a small sample so you can see what I mean:
Looksmaxxing—the practice of taking one or more sometimes extreme or dangerous measures intended to increase one's physical attractiveness.
Parasocial—relating to or involving a one-sided emotional connection with someone (especially a celebrity or fictional character) whom one does not know personally.
Vibe coding—the act or practice of using an artificial intelligence system to generate computer code in a given programming language.
Superfood—a food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in nutrients (such as antioxidants, fibre, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to one's health.
Cake pop—a lollipop made usually of a compressed ball of cake crumbs and icing that is dipped in a usually chocolate or sugary coating and often decorated (as with sprinkles or piped icing).
Sunday scares—feelings of anxiety or sadness that arise on Sunday from the knowledge that the weekend is almost over.
Whack-a-mole—a situation in which a new problem appears as soon as an existing similar problem has been addressed.
Shapewear—tight-fitting undergarments designed to shape and smooth the body.
Many of those are already familiar, but the point is that they are now officially recognised and recorded in the dictionary. That’s just a small, random selection from the 1,400 new words added to the giant American Webster’s Dictionary.
But they are not the only ones discovering new words.
Tomorrow the even longer list of newly invented words uncovered by Dictionary.com.
Tonight I'll join John Stanley for 'The Word Clinic' on 2GB, 4BC, 2CC and the Tapt Radio Network -- right after the 10pm news.
My latest column at News24 online is about Chris Bowen's failed Pacific climate forum. Here's the link: 'World has lost interest': Chris Bowen's Pacific climate change circus proves a flop amid Japan, Chile and Canada indifference | News24
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BOOKS:
* My latest book is called Pray Like This. To look at prayer I do what I do in these Ozword columns: I go through the most famous prayer in the world (The Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Our Father) and unpack it word by word—each chapter being a short word-study on a key word in that prayer. There is a total of 21 words studies in all. To find out more, here’s a link to the publisher’s website (where you can buy a copy if you wish): Pray Like This – matthiasmedia.com.au
* My book is Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries -- containing 50 new stories I have written about the great detective. You can find it on Amazon. Just go to Amazon and type in Sherlock Holmes: 5-Minute Mysteries in the search panel. Or use this link: h Amazon.com.au : Sherlock Holmes 5-Minute Mysteries Kel Richards
* My book "Defending the Gospel" is now in a second, fully revised, edition. You can find it here: Defending the Gospel – matthiasmedia.com.au
* If you're looking for my recent book "Flash Jim" you'll find it here -- Flash Jim, The astonis
hing story of the convict fraudster who wrote Australia's first dictionary by Kel Richards | 9781460759769 | Booktopia
* You can find all Kel's books currently in print here -- Booktopia Search Results for 'kel richards'. We sell books, hardback, paperback, audio, CDs.
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BY THE WAY...
If you'd like to see my A-Z list of Aussie slang, you'll find it here in the Australian Geographic website -- A-Z list of Aussie slang. Here’s the link: The A-Z of Aussie slang - Australian Geographic
The liveliest part of this website is usually the Q and A page -- be sure to check it out from time to time.
